Getting muddy for a cause Volleyball event benefits clinic

July 11, 2004|by WANDA T. WILLIAMS

HAGERSTOWN

wandaw@herald-mail.com

Area adults got a chance to slip, slide and stomp around in mud for fun during Saturday's Citi MUDD Volleyball Tournament.

Twenty-four mud volleyball teams representing local companies got down and dirty during the tournament at Hagerstown Speedway.

First Data's mud volleyball team took top honors, with Frederick, Seibert & Associates placing second, organizers said.

In its fourth year, the tournament is a fund-raiser for the Community Free Clinic at 18 W. Franklin St. in Hagerstown. Citicorp Credit Services Inc. was this year's title corporate sponsor.

"I've participated for the last four years," Citicorp employee Holly Miller said. "I'm an athlete and I enjoy having fun and bringing others out for a good cause."

Although participation was down this year - there were 38 teams in 2002 - Miller said Saturday's excitement and enthusiasm showed the potential for growth and she invites the Washington County business community to participate in next year's tournament. Christina Rudden, the Community Free Clinic's executive director, said about 300 players turned out, in addition to another 200 spectators and volunteers.

Like Miller, Bobby Mason of Myersville, Md., has represented B.P. Lesky Distribution Co. since the tournament's inception. Mason, with crusty mud in his face and hair, said although his team didn't win, getting muddy for a worthy cause makes everyone a winner.

"Everyone had fun. Our team did extremely well," he said, "Despite a setback, the other teams had eight players, and we played with only six players."

The proceeds will help the Community Free Clinic serve uninsured and underinsured Washington County residents.

"We give free primary care, and we treat anything from a cold or flu to illnesses that are more complicated," Rudden said.

Rudden said 42 area physicians donate their time to treat clinic patients.

The clinic also has a network of more than 100 Washington County physicians who accept patients at their medical practices free of charge, she said.

Company mud volleyball teams paid $350 to participate this year.

Rudden didn't have a total for Saturday's proceeds, but she said previous tournaments have raised $20,000 for the clinic.

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